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State Police barracks projects expand in 2026 CIP as design and costs rise
Summary
DLS summarized planned barrack replacements, garage construction and design changes at Maryland Department of State Police sites; analysts and DSP leaders told the committee that scope changes and higher bid-market costs have driven big increases in project estimates.
DLS analyst Madeline Miller presented the Department of State Police (DSP) capital program to the Capital Budget Subcommittee, describing seven projects in the 2025 CIP of which three receive funding in fiscal 2026: the replacement of Barrack L (Forestville), renovation of the communications room and a new garage at Barrack J (Annapolis), and a multi‑phase Barrack A project at Waterloo.
Miller said the oldest active barracks — Forestville and Annapolis — were built in 1972 and that newly constructed barracks are expected to have a 40‑ to 50‑year useful life. She described Barrack L (Forestville) as an ongoing project that previously received $5.4 million and is expected to cost $22.1 million total; the fiscal 2026 budget includes $7.4 million for the project with a preauthorization of $8.8 million for FY27.
Miller said changes in scope increased Barrack L’s design from about 15,580 gross square feet to 16,919 and increased site work costs. The Annapolis project (Barrack J) similarly expanded in scope and cost after design began, including additional garage space and Motorola radio system additions; the revised total for one project rose from $3.9 million in the prior CIP to $8.7 million in 2025. At Waterloo (Barrack A), DLS said construction is planned in four phases with estimated total cost $19.8 million and construction planned to begin in July 2028; DLS noted program approval for that project had not yet been received.
Miller told the committee that planned spending in FY26 and beyond increased from $116.1 million to $133.5 million between the two most recent CIPs due to updates from recent design and construction contracts and current bid market rates for construction. She reported increases in construction cost per gross square foot across the projects and said this allows the state to plan contingencies, which DLS noted are set at 10%.
Colonel Rolandell Butler, DSP superintendent, and other DSP officials testified in support of the budget and concurred with DLS recommendations. Butler said attracting qualified applicants remains challenging and that modern facilities are essential to operations. Committee members asked about specific sites, including the Trade Point and Brooklynville (Falls Road and Joppa Road) site; DSP testified that it has taken possession of the vacated state highways building, is boarding entries, conducting patrol checks, and anticipates demolition of standing structures before capital work begins.
DLS recommended approving authorizations, deauthorizations and preauthorizations for DSP. The hearing record shows no formal vote or amendment on the presentation.
